Nondiscrimination In District Programs And Activities

The Board of Education is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. District programs, activities and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination including discrimination against an individual or group based on gender, sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital or parental status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The Board shall promote programs that ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities. All individuals shall be treated equitably in the receipt of district and school services. Personally identifiable information collected in the implementation of any district program, including, but not limited to, student and family information for the free and reduced-price lunch program, transportation, or any other educational program, shall be used only for the purposes of the program, except when the Superintendent or designee authorizes its use for another purpose in accordance with law. Resources and data collected by the district shall not be used, directly or by others, to compile a list, registry, or database of individuals based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, or immigration status or any other category identified above. District programs and activities shall be free of any racially derogatory or discriminatory school or athletic team names, mascots, or nicknames. The Superintendent or designee shall annually review district programs and activities to ensure the removal of any derogatory or discriminatory name, image, practice, or other barrier that may unlawfully prevent an individual or group in any of the protected categories stated above from accessing district programs and activities. They shall take prompt, reasonable actions to remove any identified barrier. The Superintendent or designee shall report their findings and recommendations to the Board after each review. All allegations of unlawful discrimination in district programs and activities shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with the procedures specified in AR 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures. Pursuant to 34 CFR 104.8 and 34 CFR 106.9, the Superintendent or designee shall notify students, parents/guardians, employees, employee organizations, applicants for admission and employment, and sources of referral for applicants about the district's policy on nondiscrimination and related complaint procedures. Such notification shall be included in the annual parental notification distributed pursuant to Education Code 48980 and, as applicable, in announcements, bulletins, catalogs, handbooks, application forms, or other materials distributed by the district. The notification shall also be posted on the district's web site and social media and in district schools and offices, including staff lounges, student government meeting rooms, and other prominent locations as appropriate. In addition, the annual parental notification shall inform parents/guardians of their children's right to a free public education regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs, including information on educational rights issued by the California Attorney General. Alternatively, such information may be provided through any other cost-effective means determined by the Superintendent or designee. (Education Code 234.7) The district's nondiscrimination policy and related informational materials shall be published in a format that parents/guardians can understand. In addition, when 15 percent or more of a school's students speak a single primary language other than English, those materials shall be translated into that other language. Access for Individuals with Disabilities District programs and facilities, viewed in their entirety, shall be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any implementing standards and/or regulations. When structural changes to existing district facilities are needed to provide individuals with disabilities access to programs, services, activities, or facilities, the Superintendent or designee shall develop a transition plan that sets forth the steps for completing the changes. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the district provides auxiliary aids and services when necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to participate in or enjoy the benefits of a service, program or activity. These aids and services may include, but are not limited to, qualified interpreters or readers, assistive listening devices, assistive technologies or other modifications to increase accessibility to district and school web sites, note takers, written materials, taped text, and Braille or large print materials. Individuals with disabilities shall notify the Superintendent or principal if they have a disability that requires special assistance or services. Reasonable notification should be given prior to the school-sponsored function, program or meeting. The individual identified in AR 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures as the employee responsible for coordinating the district's response to complaints and for complying with state federal civil rights laws is hereby designated as the district's ADA coordinator. They shall receive and address requests for accommodation submitted by individuals with disabilities, and shall investigate and resolve complaints regarding their access to district programs, services, activities, or facilities. Executive Director 750 Bradford Street Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 423-2200 [email protected]